The ministry of industry, mine, and trade is planning to engage in research and exploration for radioactive minerals, Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mohammad-Reza Nematzadeh was quoted by Mehr News Agency as announcing on Sunday.
“There are untapped reserves of radioactive minerals in Iran. No scientific and thorough study has so far been conducted in this area.
After consulting with the relevant authorities, we have decided to start preliminary studies before implementing the exploration operations,” said the official.
Noting that over the past years the Geological Survey of Iran has not been able to achieve any satisfactory results due to budget deficits, Nematzadeh said the ministry has now encouraged private investors to step in and participate in the exploration operations.
Currently, there are only two operational uranium mines in the country, namely Saghand Mine, located 200 kilometers northeast of the central city of Yazd with at least 1 million tons of proven reserves, and Gachin Mine in the southern province of Hormozgan.
